Linda Peth Obituary

La Conner - Linda Peth, 85, passed away on October 14, 2025, in La Conner, WA. Linda was born on July 27, 1940 to Jeanne Martha Affleck Haynes and Normand Noble Haynes. She attended Immaculate Conception in Mount Vernon and Mount Vernon High School. As a child, she enjoyed horse riding, dance, piano, and roller skating.

Linda married Richard Dale "Buz" Peth in 1955 and raised Kirk, Kim and Kelly on the Peth family farm. Being a stay-at-home mom allowed her to travel with her family to rodeos, work with her horses, sew, help with 4-H, homework and school projects, and transport her children to multitudes of school and sporting events. Linda always showed her children and grandchildren unconditional love and was a constant and compassionate guide in their lives. Even through tragedy, she exuded strength and resilience and lived her life to the fullest. She loved animals (domesticated or wild) and the family always had pets too numerous to count.

Linda loved horses from a very young age and raised, trained, and showed Quarter horses, in Western and English disciplines, in jumping and cross country. She competed in barrel racing in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, and British Columbia. Linda was a Washington Barrel Racing Association President in 1967 and 1969, and Spokesman in 1968. She was also a Girls Rodeo Association Representative from 1971-73 as well as a Mount Vernon Rodeo Committee Director from 1961-1969. She made numerous lifelong friends through the sport of rodeo.

After leaving the family farm in 1973, Linda worked various jobs including accounting at Bendix, Ershigs, Kaps Radio, and Sky Realty. She worked for the Burlington Chamber of Commerce as secretary, in public relations and tourism. In 1980, she moved to Orcas Island. On Orcas, she entered into management, personnel, and marketing at Deer Harbor Marina and Resort (1980-1985). In 1987, Linda followed her adventurous inclinations and worked for Exploration Cruise Lines on the "MV Majestic Explorer" as a Purser/Hotel Manager based in Papeete, Tahiti. From 1988-96, Linda worked at Rosario Resort in group sales and accounting. Before retiring, Linda loved her job at Island Market, where she could stay active in her community. After retiring, she volunteered her time to the Orcas Island Historical Museum. She was a member of the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce.

Linda loved Orcas Island and built her home on Spring Point, her "little slice of heaven". She always opened her home to family and friends. Living on Orcas, she found sailing to be her new passion and sailed for many years with various friends. She was a member of the Orcas Island Yacht Club and Sailing Foundation.

Linda traveled extensively with her rodeo friend Dianna Pasco to Ireland, England, France, Mexico, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and multiple cruises to various locations around the world. They were perfect travel partners and enjoyed each other's company.

Linda moved back to Skagit County in November of 2023, enjoying time with her daughter and grandchildren and reconnecting with friends.

Linda is survived by Kelly Peth (Mark Erickson); Grandchildren Matthew Erickson, Justin Erickson (Lindsea Murdock), Natalie Salewsky (Clay); Great-grandchildren Theo, Sofie, and Anthony Salewsky and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers Neil and David Haynes; sons Kirk and Kim Peth; nephews Brian Johnson, Brad and Steve Anderson, and niece Janice Peth; and her best friend Mark Evans.

The family would like to thank all the loving caregivers and staff at La Conner Retirement Inn and Hospice of the Northwest for the wonderful care they provided.

A Celebration of Life will be held from Noon to 3 pm, November 1, 2025 at Shawn O'Donnell's Farmhouse, 13724 La Conner-Whitney Rd. Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

A Celebration of Life on Orcas Island will be determined at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to the Kirk and Kim Peth and Ed Breckenridge Scholarship Trust in care of Financial Services Group, 336 East Fairhaven Avenue, Suite A, Burlington, WA 98233. Please make checks payable to American Funds Service Company.